LCD Panel for a Server System

1. A server system comprising: a plurality of printed circuit assemblies; a server management card coupled to the plurality of printed circuit assemblies, the server management card monitoring and managing operation of the server system, the server management card receiving and storing status information from the plurality of printed circuit assemblies; and a first LCD panel mounted on the server system and coupled to the server management card, the first LCD panel providing a user interface for configuring the server management card and accessing the stored status information from the server management card, the first LCD panel including a user selectable lookout mechanism for gaining and releasing electronic control of the server management card.

2. The server system of claim 1 , wherein the first LCD panel includes an LCD display, and a plurality of alphanumeric keys for entering alphanumeric information.

3. The server system of claim 1 , wherein the server management card includes a set of user interfaces in addition to the first LCD panel for configuring the server management card and accessing the stored status information from the server management card.

4. The server system of claim 2 , wherein the first LCD panel further includes a plurality of navigation keys for navigating through menus displayed on the LCD display.

5. The server system of claim 3 , wherein the set of user interfaces of the server management card includes at least one of a second LCD panel, a serial interface, and a LAN interface.

6. The server system of claim 3 , wherein the lockout mechanism comprises a lockout key for arbitrating control of the server management card between the first LCD panel and the set of user interfaces.

7. The server system of claim 6 , wherein the first LCD panel includes an LED associated with the lockout key for indicating a lockout status.

8. A server system comprising: a plurality of printed circuit assemblies; a server management card coupled to the plurality of printed circuit assemblies, the server management card monitoring and managing operation of the server system, the server management card receiving and storing status information from the plurality of printed circuit assemblies; and a first LCD panel mounted on the server system and coupled to the server management card, the first LCD panel providing a user interface for configuring the server management card and accessing the stored status information from the server management card, the first LCD panel including a user selectable lockout mechanism for controlling access to the server management card, and wherein the server management card includes a set of user interfaces in addition to the first LCD panel for configuring the server management card, and accessing the stored status information from the server management card, wherein the set of user interfaces of the server management card includes at least one of a second LCD panel, a serial interface, and a LAN interface.